Hallmarks

[willow]

I have just received my letter from Sheffield Assay Office, my hallmark is ready for me to start sending items to be marked, I know that I am probably being very thick here but the information seems to assume that a person knows exactly what to do when sending stuff in? Could someone who is used to sending their items for hallmarking please talk me through the things that I need to know.
:confused: #-o

[caroleallen]

Well I usually use masking tape to show where I want the item marked and then wrap it in bubble wrap in a box. Fill in the form. I don't bother to fill in the weight, just total the number of each item. I've given the Assay Office my credit card details so I just tick the box to say I wish to pay by credit card. Send the box by Special Delivery. Sorted!

[jille]

I'm hoping to get my own stamp soon, approximately how much does it cost per item for the actual hallmarking? i'm concerned about things getting lost in the post as well
Jille

[willow]

Thanks Carole, how much do they charge per item, and how long approx. before you get them back, if I send an open check do they take for special delivery to send them back?
sorry about the amount of questions.

[Petal]

:~: Hi Guys,
There's lots of useful info on the site, here's a few links to help out. The other option is to give the Assay Office a ring, as they are very helpful.

http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/show-off-your-jewellery-pieces-here/1670-my-first-hallmark.html

http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/got-jewellery-question/1612-sending-parts-jewellery-hallmarking.html

http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/business-marketing-jewellery-industry/470-hallmarking.html

Hope that helps..

[willow]

Thanks Jules, just checking out the links that you posted, from what I can see Birmingham office has more information for us newbies than Sheffield, unfortunately I registered with Sheffield, Birmingham had notes to follow while filling out their forms, couldn't find anything that helpful on the Sheffield site..... unless someone knows different.

[Ominicci]

Edinburgh are very helpful too, they sent a Notes Sheet to help fill in the form and a price list leaflet. It is a shame that Sheffield has not done the same for you, you probably need to ring them before you do anything just to be on the safe side.

I sent 36 items to Edinburgh last time and it cost around £30 for everything. You really need to find out the prices as normally there is a minimum charge for receiving and assessing (£15 for Sheffield), and then a charge per item (30-80p depending on weight), and then the return postage. Check out the Sheffield Assay Office - Prices (http://www.assayoffice.co.uk/Services/Prices.asp) webpage. You will also be charged more if each item is wrapped separately or excessivley - I put all items of one type in a ziplock bag (earrings, pendants, rings etc) and then use one piece of Bubblewrap - enough to go round the whole lot twice, then put a small piece of tape on each side just to hold it together and not rattle in the box. Edinburgh use the same packaging to send it back to you in.

[willow]

Thanks for your help Nicci, I will have to ring them.

[Fi Wilson]

Yes, thank you. Really useful info for us hallmarking virgins!!

[Cathy at the Beach]

This is very interesting to me as in Canada we do not do hallmarking.
Is this something you have to do or is it just more desirable to have the hallmark to prove your metal content?

[Gemma]

We have to do it if its over 7.78 grams- if we want to sell it as silver that is! I only know that because of this wonderful forum